James Harden fined $100K by NBA after public remarks about 76ers, Daryl Morey

James Harden has actually been fined $100,000 by the NBA for his “public comments on August 14 and 17 indicating that he would not perform the services called for under his player contract unless traded to another team,” the NBA revealed on Tuesday. 

“The league’s investigation, which included an interview of Harden, confirmed that these comments referenced Harden’s belief that the 76ers would not accommodate his request to be traded,” the league’s declaration concluded. 

For recommendation, here is what Harden stated at an occasion in China on Aug. 14. 

“Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden stated to a space loaded with individuals in a video acquired by Shams Charania. “Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be part of an organization that he’s a part of.”

It would appear that the part of that remark that actually got Harden in problem, much more so than calling Morey a phony, was when he followed up by stating “will never be a part of an organization that [Morey is] a part of.” 

Translation, unless Morey is fired, Harden will not bet the Philadelphia 76ers — which is intriguing thinking about the truth that in June he voluntarily decided in to his $35.6 million gamer choice for the 2023-24 season with … the Philadelphia 76ers. 

You may remember that Kevin Durant was reported to have actually informed the Brooklyn Nets that the only method he would bet them, despite the fact that he was under agreement, was if they eliminated their head coach at the time, Steve Nash, and GM Sean Marks. But Durant never ever stated this openly. 

When Ben Simmons essentially declined to bet the Sixers, he mentioned psychological health. He didn’t simply flat out state he would not play in Philadelphia. 

Stuff likes this goes on behind the scenes a lot. Business is filthy, and the NBA is a service. Damian Lillard has actually made it quite clear he desires a trade out of Portland, where he’s under agreement for the next 4 years, which particularly he wishes to go to Miami, however he hasn’t marched and stated this openly.

That’s where Harden failed. You can’t stand on an international platform, successfully get a loudspeaker, and begin declining to bet the group with which you are under agreement. The NBA needs to get at least rather of a manage on this. Player empowerment is something; total adjustment and straight-out rejection to honor agreements is an entire other concern that definitely falls within the language of “statements detrimental to basketball, the NBA or a team.”

Subsequently, the NBA introduced an examination into Harden’s remarks and whether his calling Morey a phony possibly referenced a handshake contract in between the 2 when Harden took a lower income last summer season. Did Morey inform Harden he would make it approximately him this summer season with a long-lasting offer? If so, this would certify as something of a wink-wink income cap circumvention. 

Instead, what emerged from the examination was Harden verifying that his phony remark remained in recommendation to Morey “telling Harden he will trade him quickly following the $35.6 million opt-in for the 2023-24 season,” per The Athletic. 

So Harden thought he was just deciding in to be traded, and the Sixers’ position now is that they dont plan to trade him. For Harden, such are the breaks when no one out there — significantly the Clippers — desires you enough to present Morey with a sensible trade deal. 

Never mind the hypocrisy of a person who has actually bailed, or remains in the procedure of attempting to bail, on 3 various groups with whom he was under agreement calling someone else a phony. When Harden signed those offers, that’s a quite clear contract to provide your all to that group. Did he keep his word? 

He would inform you that scenarios altered from the time he signed those offers. Well, scenarios have actually altered for the Sixers, too. 

Harden’s worth remains in the tank, quite just. He can stroll after this season. He flamed out (once again) when the Sixers required him most in Games 6 and 7 of the conference semifinals versus Boston in 2015. He really plainly is constantly a hazard to up and require his escape of an agreement and turn your group into a mess, as he has actually now done 3 times — initially in Houston, then Brooklyn, and now Philadelphia. 

Oh, and he will turn 34 years of ages and isn’t anywhere near the gamer he when was. He does not have the utilize he believes he does, or definitely that he utilized to have. His best choice is to swallow his pride, return to the Sixers and provide 100% for another season. If he plays well, and isn’t an issue, he can possibly bring back a few of his worth and have his representative start sweeping the landscape for innovative offers next summer season to land him with another long-lasting offer. 

Or he can being persistent and attempt to end up being such a headache that Morey capitulates. I would not rely on that taking place. Morey revealed with the Simmons legend that he can remain locked into a looking contest with the very best of them. In other words, remain tuned.